Molecular screening of nematodes in lacertid lizards from the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands using 18S rRNA sequences

Abstract

The development of molecular methods is becoming a promising field in the analysis of parasite fauna in wildlife species. This is especially useful in the case of parasite species where developmental larval stages are difficult to assess using standard methods. In this study we screened for the presence of parasitic nematodes infecting lacertid lizards from the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic islands using nematode-specific 18S ribosomal RNA gene primers on host tissue samples. Sequencing of positive samples revealed the presence of different genera of nematodes. The detection of Strongyloides, a monoxenous genus reported for the first time in Podarcis lilfordi is probably the result of the amplification of larval stages present in the host circulatory system. Two spirurid nematodes, Synhimantus and a new unidentified clade, were also found, suggesting that reptiles might be paratenic hosts of several spirurid species. This study demonstrates the benefits of using specific molecular markers on tissue samples to identify infecting larval stages of nematodes, otherwise difficult to assess using traditional screening methods.

Morphological and molecular genetic analysis of Synhimantus (Synhimantus) laticeps (Rudolphi, 1819) (Nematoda, Acuariidae) from the barn owl (Tyto alba) and the common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) in Austria

“…According to several reports from Germany (Krone, 2000;Honisch, 2008), Southern Europe (Sanmartin et al, 2004;Acosta et al, 2008;Santoro et al, 2010) and Turkey (Aşti et al, 2017) the common kestrel (F. tinnunculus) constitutes a common host species of this parasite. During the molecular analysis of tail tissue of lacertid lizards with nematode-specifi c 18S ribosomal RNA gene primers, Perera et al (2013) recieved sequences of various genera of nematodes, including representatives of the genus Synhimantus. Based on their fi ndings and the presumption that the sequences could be derived from larval nematode stages, they discussed the possible role of reptiles as paratenic hosts.…”

Infection of the lesser spotted dogfish with Proleptus obtusus Dujardin, 1845 (Nematoda: Spirurida) reflects ontogenetic feeding behaviour and seasonal differences in prey availability

“…sequence available on GenBank (Accession Number JF934733). The hotSHOT DNA extraction protocol was used (MonteroPau et al, 2008) as well as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedure of Perera et al (2013). Finally, since the taxonomy of Proleptus is controversial because of high intraspecific morphological plasticity (Moravec et al 2002(Moravec et al , 2007, and to assess levels of genetic variability, a portion of the 28S rRNA was sequenced from the same individuals.…”

Microscopic and molecular characterization ofHepatozoon domerguei(Apicomplexa) andFoleyella furcata(Nematoda) in wild endemic reptiles from Madagascar

“…Hemogregarines from continental African reptiles have shown high genetic diversity comprising various unrelated lineages [47, 82], compared with rather limited genetic diversity from the Seychelles islands [27]. Occurrence of these hemoparasites can be easily detected through microscopy, by observing hemogregarine gamonts inside erythrocytes and leukocytes [79], by observing onchocercid microfilarial stages in blood smears stained with Giemsa [33], and through molecular screening of host samples using parasite-specific primers [47, 62]. Parasite species can be better identified by combining genetic and morphological data [1, 29, 57].…”